Summer is a popular time for people to move from one house or apartment to another. Often, those with kids in school will wait until the academic year is over before making the transition, plus moving in warmer weather is easier to manage. Some families will actually utilize vacation days or weeks to take on the gargantuan task of packing, transporting and unpacking.
If you’re eyeing a move to a new residence this spring or summer, you’ll want to start the process now by selecting a reputable mover. There are a lot of options out there, from local companies to national franchises. This week, we’ll help you focus on the steps needed to make the wisest decision possible.
1. Decide what type of mover will best suit your needs
Are you moving locally or traveling across the state or to a different state entirely? That may affect your choice of mover, as many companies specialize in one type of move or the other. A local mover may not be equipped to haul your stuff to California, whereas an interstate mover may be overkill if all you’re doing is going to a different ZIP Code in your town.
2. What kinds of things will you be moving?
Many types of belongings require particular skills to move. These include larger items like pool tables, pianos and hot tubs. You’ll want to choose a company that has a track record of handling big possessions like these.
3. Will you need services that include packing, trash removal and cleanout of the home you’re vacating?
Again, not all movers are set up to handle tasks like these. You’ll need to decide early if these are services you’ll want.
4. Research movers and their credentials
This is a big factor, so don’t leave it to a simple Google search. Be systematic. Create a spreadsheet to input and track your data on each company. Things to look for include where they’re based, how long they’ve been in business, what geographic range they service, whether or not they’re licensed and insured, and what accreditations they may have. For example, what’s their Better Business Bureau rating? Are they members of the American Moving and Storage Association?
5. Pick your top five prospects and read their online reviews
Don’t just trust the testimonials on the different companies’ websites. Look at sites like Google and Yelp to find reviews and try to base your decision on as large a review sample size as possible. Other sources to locate reviews include the aforementioned Better Business Bureau, the Department of Transportation and Zipmover.
6. Request in-person estimates
Have a representative of each of your top five companies come to your location, assess your situation and give you a cost estimate based on that. Get at least three estimates in person — not over the phone or by email. While the rep is at your location, request that proof of license and insurance.
In our next installment, we’ll offer you more tips for picking a mover as well as some red flags to look for when sifting through candidates.
In the meantime, Volunteer Storage has many options for storing your possessions temporarily as you prepare to move to or from your next location.